Kamaru Usman remains the closest to beating Khamzat Chimaev after a one-sided UFC 319 main event.
Chimaev had UFC gold wrapped around his waist for the very first time at Saturday’s pay-per-view in Chicago, where he remained undefeated and became middleweight champion in emphatic fashion.
Dricus du Plessis was dominated by Chimaev from start to finish, as three 50-44 scorecards brought a devastating end to a title reign that lasted 19 months and went through two successful defenses against Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
Many had been expecting much more resistance from the South African, but he was instead outclassed on the ground in a fashion similar to many of Chimaev’s UFC wins. But not everyone has allowed ‘Borz’ to impose his will in the cage.
- LATEST UFC NEWS: Khamzat Chimaev plans to keep using cardio weapon from UFC 319 camp that helped prove his doubters wrong
Kamaru Usman had a short reaction to Khamzat Chimaev dethroning Dricus du Plessis
To secure his title shot, Chimaev brutally submitted Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in 2024. The year prior, he initially looked on track for a similar result at the expense of former welterweight king Kamaru Usman.
After surviving the early charge, however, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was able to rally and come close to handing Chimaev his first defeat at UFC 294. ‘Borz’ was forced to settle for a majority decision that many brought up ahead of UFC 319 while picking Du Plessis to retain.
‘Stillknocks’ was unable to replicate the work of Usman, though, and that fact is something the welterweight contender seemingly sought to remind fans of in his short reaction to Chimaev’s title crowning in Chicago.
“I hate to say it but (shrug emojis) #ufc319,” Usman wrote on X.
- LATEST UFC NEWS: Dana White accused of ulterior motive when signing fighters after Aaron Pico’s brutal debut loss at UFC 319
Fans laud Kamaru Usman’s talents as another opponent fails to test Khamzat Chimaev like he did
Given what Usman has accomplished in the UFC, most fans aren’t in need of more evidence when it comes to his talents inside the Octagon.
But for many, the one-sided nature of Chimaev’s fight with Du Plessis only enforced what they thought about ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and the impressive nature of his short-notice effort against the undefeated phenom in 2023.
“You’re the only one who gave bro a REAL challenge.”
“You did that on short notice, imagine a full camp.”
“He dominated everyone except you. In your prime, you would win against him, but it’s his time now champ.”
“No camp, no knees and got robbed. Or draw at minimum.”
“Tonight only proved, again, how insanely good you are champ.”
“Let me say it loud – Just how good is Usman.”